Over 130 motorists warned in York

Over 130 motorists were given warnings during a City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police crackdown on motorists illegally driving through the city centre this month.

Officials from the police and the council's city centre and network management team took action in a police driven operation called Operation Apex.

Operation Apex is a widespread exercise to crack down on those committing offences and highlights and enforces the traffic restrictions and prohibitions throughout the city centre area.

This includes cycle use within city centre during pedestrianised hours, contravention of one-way systems, for example Stonegate, or illegitimate vehicular access.

During 2.5hours enforcement (on 8th August 2011) over 600 vehicles passed through Coppergate. Out of this total, 134 of these motorists were given warnings by the police for contravening the restrictions and a further three fixed penalty notices were issued.

Cllr Tracey Simpson Laing, deputy Labour Leader at City of York Council, said:

"The enforcement operation results are unsurprising and highlight the true scale of this problem and we'll continue to work with the police to crack down on motorists misusing our roads.

"Motorists must abide by these rules or warnings will continue to be given or in some circumstances motorists could face prosecution."

Sergeant Fiona Willey, of York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said:

"The aim of the operation was to deter people from committing traffic offences in the city centre and to educate road users about the impact of ignoring restrictions during designated hours.

"Operations such has this make a positive difference to people who are affected by those who ignore the restrictions and we will continue to monitor the issue until people get the message.

"If people continue to disregard the traffic signs we may consider more severe penalties such as fixed penalty tickets which carry a fine of up to £80."